November 1, 2008

Whew!

This week I am celebrating:
"Whew, we made it through October without a visit to the hospital!"

I've alluded to the fact that we had a life-changing ordeal a couple of years ago.  I've finally found time to sit down and put it into words.  It's long, so I won't be offended if you have better things to do.  If you've got a few minutes, brew up some java, add a little Gingerbread creamer and join me.

It was a cool October Saturday and we had a fun evening planned.  My Manly Man was headed over to his parents' house with the kids.  He was going to hunt while the kids spent some time with Grandma and Gran-gran.
I was headed to the grocery to buy enough food for my friend Julie and I to try the 'once a month cooking' thing.  I was standing in the checkout line with my cart loaded to the top when my cell phone rang. 
It was my dear mother-in-law and she said:
"There's been an accident."  

My heart was in my throat.
My whole world could be changing at this very moment.  My husband?  My children?
"Your father-in-law is with the paramedics trying to get your Manly Man (okay, she used his real name) out of the woods.  I've got the kids with me.  I'll call you when I know more."
Click.

Remember I said he was going HUNTING?  
WITH. A. GUN.

I started crying as the lady was ringing up my Oreos and chicken breasts.  I didn't know what to do.  Do I just walk out and let them decided what to do with a half rung up cart of groceries?
It's funny how we behave when the world is crashing down.  I just stood there and waited until she was done.  I paid for the food with a trembling hand and left. 
I called Julie and told her what was going on.  As we were trying to decide where to meet for her to rescue the mountain of perishable food, my husband's cell phone beeped in.  

It was his sweet voice.  
His tender, loving voice that I had feared I might never hear again.
"I'm okay."  That's all it took for the dam of emotions to break free.  I was sobbing.
"It's okay, honey.  I slipped coming down from the tree stand.  I fell about 10 feet and I messed up my ankle.  The paramedics (two females) couldn't carry me that far out of the woods so they had to put me on a stretcher in the back of my dad's 4-wheel drive truck to get me out. They are going to take me to the hospital, so you can just meet me there."

What a blessing that my kids were already at my in-laws' house.  I didn't have to worry about arranging a safe place for them to go.  My parents were out of town.  We have a running joke that every time they go out of town, something big happens.  This was big.

I met my father-in-law and my husband's hunting buddy, Joel, at the hospital.  We watched as they rolled my husband in on a stretcher.  He was all smiles and joking with the hospital staff.
The paramedics had (wisely) chosen to leave his boot on in an attempt to keep it stable.
As the nurse cut the boot off (much to my husband's dismay, after all, they were his favorite huntin' boots!) I nearly passed out.  His foot was going the wrong direction.  
If you know me, you know that even though I come from a family of medical minded people, that gene skipped me.  I cannot handle blood, teeth, bones, eyes etc...

"Oh!  Let me get the doctor.  Yes. You messed that one up pretty good."
Such tact.
You might want to bring the smelling salts for me, too.

We settled down for the night in the ER.  CAT scans, x-rays, blood work.  Hours of tests.
Meanwhile, the kids were having a ball.  Grandma took them to Target to get new pajamas and a movie.  They thought it was great fun to have an impromptu sleepover. 

By this point the Manly Man was tired of being poked and prodded.  If he weren't in so much pain, I think he would have tried to hobble out of there.  Forget the cast.  Duct tape will work just fine.

As I sat in the family waiting room (thank goodness it wasn't the ER waiting room with blood and broken bones n' such) the tallest doctor in the world came in and introduced himself.  He was the orthopedic surgeon for the hospital.  He also takes care of the local football and hockey teams.  We felt like we were in good hands.

He pulled my father-in-law and me aside and said,
"His leg is in grave condition.  After looking at the x-rays, we realize that it is much more serious than we thought.  I have spoken with my colleagues and we do not feel that we have the ability to perform the kind of surgery he needs."

What?!  We live in one of the biggest cities in NC.  We are at one of the best hospitals in the area.  It's not like we are out in Podunkville!

"If the surgery is not done correctly, he has a high probability of loosing his leg."

Did you say he could loose his leg?!
Suddenly I was standing in a vortex.  I couldn't breathe. 
 My father-in-law was crying.  In the 13 years that I had known him, I had never seen him cry. 
In an instant we went from joking about having to find tall crutches to the reality that he may have to use them.  Forever.

The worst moment was yet to come.  We had to go tell my Manly Man what we had just heard...

(Come back Monday for more of the story)

21 comments:

Tracey said...

WOW! I'm on the edge of my seat...I'm so sorry that you had to go through this, but I can't wait to see how God worked...I'll be back Monday! (It was great to see you last night!)

Anonymous said...

Ok, that's just cruel...I'm already crying! Glad you guys made it through October and you can breathe again. Great picture. I'll be back Monday :)

-Hayley

Kellie said...

Ah! Thanks for the cliffhanger. lol

I understand that vortex -- that moment in time when you don't know what is going to happen to your life as you know it. I have lived it and have had small episodes since May 2005...

Can't wait to read on Monday.

Christy said...

I'll be back on Monday to hear the rest of the story!

trish said...

Oh my goodness ... what a roller coaster of emotions you all must have been experiencing.
The picture of you and your husband is precious! :o)
I am looking so forward to hearing what the Lord did for you all in your time of need! See you Monday! :o)

Anonymous said...

You guys have beeen through so much- you are one strong mama! I love the picture of you both!
Erin

Anonymous said...

What a great picture of the story of the two of you. And the story has left me with chills, will certainly be back for the rest on Monday.
-- Brandi

Anonymous said...

What a great picture of the story of the two of you. And the story has left me with chills, will certainly be back for the rest on Monday.
-- Brandi

Shannon @ Silver Trappings said...

What!?!?!? You are going to make us wait till Monday!?!? Well, I will be back then!

Shannon

Chris said...

OH. My. Lord. You did NOT just leave us hanging like that! Monday can't come soon enough. I hope it's a good ending!

Laura said...

Thank you for commenting on my blog. I'm glad to have found your blog. I'm in the process of reading it now and enjoying it so much. Loved your green room makeover! I have a couple of rooms with black and white-isn't it so fun? I picked out and bought my fabric today. I'm asking for my shower curtain for Christmas from my MIL so it will be a little while before the reveal, but do check back!

KR said...

Ugggg!! You dissed me. I've heard parts of the story before and had the general gist, but appreciate your sharing such a private and huge event for your family with us. We were praying from the beginning, though. I can't wait to hear the rest. Will it be over Monday or will I be left hanging again!? I'll be back!! Kristen

cjtoscano said...

Wow! On the edge of my seat! Can't wait to see how God worked.

Anonymous said...

I imagine that you re-live some of those emotions every time you share this story. Praise God that you are able to share and give Him glory. Thanks!

Shell in your Pocket said...

OH my....you can't make me wait till tomorrow...Sandy toes

Georgia Girl said...

Geeze what a terriblke thing to do to your readers. JK...I'll be back Monday to read the 2nd chapter. I love great endings so I hope it is or at least I think it will be, which is Great!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

I stayed with you, and am waiting for the rest of the story. It is amazing how quickly life can change. The picture of you is great. Looking forward to the rest of the story. Jackie

Anonymous said...

That's cruel, see you Monday!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

I didn't even need to go get any coffee, I made it through on the first read and was ready for the ending.......NOW!

Jennifer said...

I.can.not imagine what you went through that night...I had tears in my eyes (and I don't know you from Adam!) reading about it. I sure can't wait to read the rest of the story!

Lacy said...

I am just now tuning in and am about to read the rest!!!